ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Science & Technology
Need for interventions in National IPR policy highlighted at DST-CPR meeting
The need for major interventions in some of the National level policies and the role of DST-Centre for Policy Research  was discussed at a review meeting of the DST-Centre for Policy Research, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
“Interventions in policy formulation at the National level is a major objective of CPRs. So each CPR should identify their own themes, one of the significant ones being the National IPR policy. They should contribute towards policy formation at the national level,” Dr Akhilesh Gupta, Senior Adviser, DST, pointed out.
The DST-CPR, Panjab University, funded by the Department of Science and Technology , which is working on interventions in National IPR policy, promoting industry-academia R&D ecosystem in India and mapping STI at the regional and local level, was evaluated for its progress during the meeting at Technology Bhawan, New Delhi on 8 June 2022.
It was suggested that DST-CPR, Panjab University should make a five-year plan to enhance the activities of the centre and position itself as a major Policy Research Centre at the National level as well as a coordinating point for the State and regional level.
Prof. Kashmir Singh, Coordinator, DST-Centre for Policy Research Panjab University, Chandigarh, highlighted how the Centre is working on the development of a new country-specific model for the promotion of Public-Private Partnership  for R&D; identifying policy gaps for stimulation of private sector investment in R&D and suggesting changes in policy environment.
They are also adopting evidence-based approaches for identifying and promoting areas for generation of intellectual properties.
The Centre has also developed collaborations with various international agencies, government bodies, local industries, regional councils as well as academia’s and R&D institutes.
The DST officials and policy fellows gave several suggestions for strengthening the CPR and making it more impactful.
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SNC/RR
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Ministry of Defence
Air Marshal RJ Duckworth takes over as AOP at Air Headquarters Vayu Bhawan
Air Marshal RJ Duckworth took over as Air Officer in charge Personnel at Air Headquarters Vayu Bhawan, Indian Air Force on 01 Oct 20. He was commissioned into Fighter Stream of the IAF on 29 May 1983 as a Fighter Pilot. In a distinguished career spanning nearly 38 years, the Air Officer has flown wide variety of fighter and trainer aircraft in the inventory of IAF. He has a flying experience of more than 3000 hours including operational flying on MiG-21 and MiG-29 fighter aircraft.
During his illustrious career in the IAF, the Air Officer has held numerous important appointments. He was Commanding Officer of a frontline fighter squadron and has also commanded a premier Fighter Base. As an Air Vice Marshal, he held the coveted appointments of Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff  at Headquarter Integrated Defence Services, Air Officer Commanding Advance Headquarter Central Air Command, Air Defence Commander, Southern Air Command. As an Air Marshal, he held the appointments of Senior Air Staff Officer, Central Air Command. Prior to his present appointment, he was Senior Air Staff Officer, Western Air Command. The Air Marshal is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College.
In recognition of his distinguished service, the Air Marshal was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal in 2008.
Ministry of Home Affairs
RESERVATION FOR AGNIVEERS IN PARAMILITARY FORCES
An in-principle approval has been given for reservation of 10% of vacancies for ex-Agniveers in the recruitment to the post of Constable /Rifleman in the Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles. Relaxation in upper age limit and exemption from the Physical Efficiency Test will also be given.
As per Government instructions/orders, the details of existing reservations in CAPFs/ARs are as under:
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Direct Recruitment
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Scheduled Castes 
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15%
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Scheduled Tribes 
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7.5%
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Other Backward Classes 
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27%
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Economically Weaker Sections 
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10% reservation in direct recruitment in civil posts and services in Government of India to the persons belonging to EWSs who are not covered under the scheme of reservation for SCs, STs & OBCs as per DoP&T’s OM dated 31.01.2019.
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Ex-servicemen
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10% of the vacancies in the posts upto of the level of the Assistant Commandant in all para-military forces as per DoP&T notification dated 04.10.2012.
10% horizontal reservation is decided to be given to Ex-Agniveers for the post of Constable/Rifleman when the first batch of Ex-Agniveers is available for recruitment after completing engagement period of four years in Defence Forces.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Updates
Status of Remdesivir
There are reports in a section of the media regarding the use of Remdesivir as part of the Clinical Management Protocol for COVID-19, and its availability in the country.
An updated Clinical Management Protocol for COVID-19 has been released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 13th June, 2020 in which the drug Remdesivir has been included as an “investigational therapy” only for restricted emergency use purposes along with off label use of Tocilizumab and Convalescent Plasma.The said protocol also clearly mentions that the use of these therapies is based on limited available evidence and limited availability at present. Use of Remdesivir under emergency use may be considered in patients with moderate disease  but with no specified contraindications.
This drug has still not been approved  by the US Food and Drug Administration , where like India it continues only under an Emergency Use Authorization.
Restricted Emergency Use of drugs in the country for treatment of suspected or laboratory confirmed COVID-19 in adults and children hospitalised with severe disease is subject to the following conditions- Written informed consent of each patient required, results of additional clinical trials to be submitted, active surveillance data of all treated patients to be submitted, risk management plan along with active post marketing surveillance and reporting of serious adverse events also to be submitted. Additionally, first three batches of imported consignments are to be tested and reports submitted to Central Drug Standard Control Organisation .
M/s Gilead had applied to the Indian Drug Regulatory Agency, namely CDSCO, for import and marketing of Remdesivir on 29th May, 2020. After due deliberations, permission under Emergency Use Authorization was granted on 1st June, 2020 in the interest of patient safety and obtaining further data.
Six Indian companies, namely M/s Hetero, M/s Cipla, M/s BDR, M/s Jubilant, M/s Mylan and Dr. Reddy's Labs have also applied to CDSCO for permission to manufacture and market the drug in India. Five of these have also entered into an agreement with M/s Gilead. These applications are being processed by the CDSCO on priority and in accordance with the laid down procedures.The companies are at various intermediate stages of inspection of manufacturing facilities, verification of data, stability testing, emergency laboratory testing as per protocol etc. Being an injectable formulation, testing for assay, identity, impurities, bacterial endotoxin test and sterility become very critical for patient safety and this data need to be provided by the companies. CDSCO is awaiting the data and is providing complete support to these companies. It has already waived off the requirement of local clinical trials for these companies by invoking emergency provisions. The regulatory processes are being facilitated and expedited by CDSCO.
Ministry of Finance
CGST Commissionerate Mumbai East unearths fake tax credit network and arrests one
Mumbai, 20 May 2022
The officers of Anti-Evasion wing of CGST Commissionerate Mumbai East of Mumbai Zone have unearthed a fake Input Tax Credit  Network and arrested the Director of a Kurla based company for GST fraud.
Acting on a tip off received from Central Intelligence Unit of Mumbai zone, an investigation was initiated against M/s Lakshin Metals Pvt. Ltd. which revealed that fake Input Tax Credit  of Rs.15.26 Crore was availed and passed on without actual receipt or supply of goods, in gross violation of provisions of the CGST Act, 2017. For this fraud, a web of around 15 entities was created and bogus invoices of more than Rs. 84 Crore were issued.
During investigation, statement of a director of this company was recorded, wherein he admitted his role in this GST fraud. He was arrested on 19.05.2022 under Section 69 of CGST Act, 2017 for contravention of Section 132 of the CGST Act, 2017. He was produced before the Hon’ble Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Esplanade today on 19.05.2022. The Magistrate has remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days.
The officers of Central Intelligence Unit are using data analysis and network analysis tools to identify potential fraudsters and sharing the details with jurisdictional Commissionerates for investigation. This case is a part of special drive launched by the CGST Mumbai Zone against the fraudsters and fake ITC network dealers, who have been causing un-healthy competition for the honest taxpayers.
During the financial year 2021-22, the CGST Mumbai East Commissionerate had detected GST evasion of Rs. 1002 Crore, recovered Rs. 124 Crore and arrested 2 tax evaders. CGST Mumbai East Commissionerate will intensify the drive against the fraudsters and fake entities, engaged in availing and passing of fake ITC, in the coming days.| PIB Mumbai | SC/DR
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Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Wealth from Wilderness: Sundarbans Multiflora Mangrove Honey
Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world, located on the delta formed by the confluence of Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers in the Bay of Bengal. It is home to wild colonies of honeybees. Before the culture of beehive farming, people used to hunt the honeycombs from the wilderness. This tradition of beehive hunting is still practised among the people of Sundarbans.
The distinct and rich flavor profile of Sundarbans honey mirrors the bio-diversity of the area. It blends the nectar of various mangrove flowers like Khalisha, Bani and Garan … to create a harmony of sweet and earthy notes. It is less viscous than other types of honey.
Besides being 100% natural and pure, Sundarban honey is also high in flavonoids and provides valuable health benefits.
RoM
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Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates the President of India on completing one year in office
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated the President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind on completion of one year in office.
PM said, "Congratulations to Rashtrapati Ramnath Kovind Ji on completing 1 year in office. He’s endeared himself to every Indian with his wisdom and humility. He is extremely well versed in key policy issues. Rashtrapati Ji is also passionate about empowering the youth, farmers & poor. "
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Union Sports Minister to chair ‘Chintan Shivir’ of Ministers of Youth Affairs & Sports of States and UTs in Manipur
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports  Shri Anurag Singh Thakur will chair the 2 day ‘Chintan Shivir' of Ministers of Youth Affairs & Sports of States and UTs in Imphal, Manipur on 24th-25th April.
More than 100 invitees from various States, Union Territories and Ministry of Youth Affairs are expected to attend the unique two-day Chintan Shivir and put forward their views and ideas on making the nation fitter and making India into one of the biggest sporting powers in the world. Also discussions will be held for working towards the objectives of personality- building and nation-building, that is, developing the personality of youth by involving them in various nation- building activities.
Last year in June 2022, the Union Minister, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur had chaired a two-days National Conference of the Ministers of Youth Affairs and Sports of States and Union Territories in Kevadia, Gujarat. During the session, the States and UTs had discussed ways and plans on how to take sports ahead.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to address the participants of Jaipur Mahakhel on 5th February
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will address the participants of Jaipur Mahakhel on 5th February, 2023 at 1 PM via video conferencing.
Jaipur Mahakhel has been organised in Jaipur by Lok Sabha MP from Jaipur Rural, Shri Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore since 2017.
The Mahakhel, which is focussing on Kabaddi competition this year, started on National Youth Day i.e. 12th January, 2023. It has witnessed participation of more than 6400 youths and sports persons from more than 450 gram panchayats, municipalities and wards of all 8 legislative assembly regions of Jaipur Rural Lok Sabha constituency. The organisation of Mahkhel provides an opportunity to the youth of Jaipur to showcase their sporting talent and also motivates them to take up sport as a career option.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Shri Rao Inderjit Singh inaugurates seminar on “High Quality Financial Reporting Framework through Effective Independent Oversight” during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Iconic Day celebrations by NFRA under Ministry of Corporate Affairs
National Financial Regulatory Authority  organised a seminar on “High Quality Financial Reporting Framework through Effective Independent Oversight” here today as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav  week-long celebrations by Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
AKAM celebrations were inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in March 2021 which marked 75-week countdown to the 75th Anniversary of our independence in August, 2022. The celebrations will continue for a year thereafter until August 2023.
Union Minister of State  for Statistics & Programme Implementation; Planning; and MoS, Corporate Affairs Shri Rao Inderjit Singh inaugurated the seminar and the event and delivered a keynote address. Shri Rajesh Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, participated as Guest of Honour. Earlier, Dr Ajay Bhushan Pandey, NFRA, Chairperson, welcomed the dignitaries.
An All-India level quiz competition was also conducted on MyGov portal of the Government of India in December- January 2022 so as to encourage the younger cohorts especially students in the audit regulation and compliance requirements, which saw a massive turnout of more than 27000 participants. Winners of the All-India level Quiz conducted by NFRA in December-January, 2022 were felicitated by the Union Minister of State.
The event saw participation from experts in regulation of audit and accounting standards, both from the domestic and the international arena. An expert from Certified Public Accountants and Auditing Oversight Board, Japan addressed the session on “Global experiences about review of Audit Quality and Financial Reporting”.
Two panel discussions on “Independent Audit Regulators-India & Global Scenario” and “Enhancing Financial Reporting Quality-Role of Independent Oversight Bodies” were held with representations from the academic and the corporate sector. NFRA members Sri Praveen Tewari and Smt Smita Jhingran moderated the panel discussions.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari denies reports quoting him to have said that MSP may be reduced
Minister dubs such reports malicious and false
Shri Gadkari stands for looking at ways to increase farmers income by finding alternative usage of their crops yielding them better returns
Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and MSME Shri Nitin Gadkari has vehemently denied the reports in a section of media which have falsely quoted him as having said that MSP is likely to be reduced. He dubbed such reports not only as false but also malicious. Making a statement on the issue, Shri Gadkari has said that he always stood and advocated looking for various ways & means to increase farmers’ income including through alternative usage of their crops like paddy/rice, wheat, sugarcane. The Minister went on to assert that he himself was present when increase in MSP was announced hence there was no question of him standing for MSP reduction.
He expressed that providing better income to farmers was always the priority of the Government of India and it is in the same spirit that MSP has been raised. He further emphasised the need for exploring changes in crop pattern to provide better prices to farmers, for example growing edible oil seeds holds bright prospects since India spends about Rs 90000 crore on its import. Similarly, production of ethanol from rice/paddy/wheat/ corns will also not only give them better returns but also help save on import bill. Besides, these Biofuels are also more environment friendly, Shri Gadkari underlined.
Ministry of Defence
CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF VISIT TO OMAN 
Adm R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, is on a three-day official visit to the Sultanate of Oman from 31 Jul – 02 Aug 23. The visit aims to consolidate existing bilateral defence relations and high-level discussions with military leadership of the Sultanate of Oman.
During the visit, Adm R Hari Kumar would call on His Excellency General Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Nu’amani, Minister of Royal Office, and hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart Rear Admiral Saif bin Nasser bin Mohsen Al-Rahbi, Commander of Royal Navy of Oman  and with Maj Gen Matar bin Salim bin Rashid Al Balushi, Commander of Royal Army of Oman. The CNS would also be visiting key defence and training installations in Oman.
Coinciding with the visit, Indian Navy’s indigenously designed and constructed Guided Missile Destroyer INS Visakhapatnam arrived at Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat on 30 Jul 23 for a three-day port call, during which various naval cooperation events are scheduled with the Royal Navy of Oman, which will culminate with a Maritime Partnership Exercise  on 03 Aug 23.
Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman engage with each other under numerous Foreign Cooperation avenues, which include operations, training and exchange of Subject Matter Experts in various fields. The 13th edition of the bilateral naval exercise Naseem Al Bahr, an important biennial activity initiated in 1993, was conducted off Oman in 2022, and the next edition is scheduled in 2024. Both navies also engage extensively under the aegis of various multilateral constructs such as Indian Ocean Naval Symposium . The relationship between Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman is in consonance with the GoI vision of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ .
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt meets family of Subedar Ram Singh who got killed in action in Jammu & Kashmir
Key Highlights:
- Shri Ajay Bhatt remembers the fallen hero for his bravery during the anti-terror operation
- Assures family of all possible support from the Government
- We stand with families of soldiers who laid down their lives for the Nation: Raksha Rajya Mantri
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt visited Meerut on August 26, 2021 and met the family of Subedar Ram Singh who was killed in action during an anti-terror operation at Rajouri in Jammu & Kashmir on the intervening night of August 18-19, 2021. Extending his condolences to the family, Shri Ajay Bhatt paid homage to the fallen hero and recalled his bravery during the operation. He assured the family of all possible support from the government. “We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the families of the brave soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the Nation,” he said.
Originally from Pauri in Uttarakhand, Subedar Ram Singh’s family resides in Meerut and the slain officer was about to retire in a few months. The Central and Uttar Pradesh governments have announced a total financial assistance of over Rs 1.2 crore to the next-to-kin of the officer.
Ministry of Defence
NAVAL COMMANDERS’ CONFERENCE 21/2
The second edition of Naval Commanders' Conference of 2021 is scheduled at New Delhi from 18 to 22 October 2021. The conference serves as a platform for Naval Commanders to discuss important maritime matters at the military-strategic level as well as interact with Senior Government Officials through an institutionalised forum. Due to the rapidly changing geostrategic situation of the region, the significance and importance of the Conference is manifold. It is an institutionalised platform to deliberate, direct, devise and decide issues of utmost importance, which will shape future course of Indian Navy .
During the Conference, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will address and interact with the Naval Commanders on matters pertaining to national security.
Amongst many issues being discussed, the Chief of the Naval Staff, along with other Naval Commanders will review major operational, materiel, logistics, Human Resource Development, training and administrative activities undertaken by the Indian Navy in the last few months and deliberate upon future plans for important activities and initiatives.
The Navy has focused on being Combat Ready, Credible and Cohesive force and despite the COVID- 19 pandemic, continues to assiduously execute its mandate. The Indian Navy has witnessed a significant growth in its operational tasking over the years in consonance with India’s rising maritime interests. Indian Naval ships on Mission Based Deployments across the Indian Ocean Region  have remained poised for quick response to any developing situation. IN ships deployed in the Gulf of Aden and the Persian Gulf continue to provide security for trade flowing through these areas. In 2020-21, IN ships have undertaken multiple COVID related outreach missions to provide food and medical aid to IOR littoral nations and beyond as part of Hon’ble PM’s vision of SAGAR . The Indian Navy remains committed towards providing all support to the nation’s fight against the ongoing COVID pandemic.
The Chief of Defence Staff, and the Chiefs of Indian Army and Indian Air Force would also interact with the Naval Commanders to address convergence of the three Services vis-à-vis the operational environment, and on avenues for augmenting Tri-Service synergy.
ABB/VM/PS 137/21
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